Update On Grandmother’s Kitchen House

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we were fortunate enough to be able to get a little tour of the house my Dad grew up in on Haskell St. The current owner, Jeff Martin, had found a number of items in the attic walls when he did some renovations, including some old letters.

The family name on the letters is Goodwin and they were previous residents at the house around 1900. Since I have Goodwins in my family tree, he graciously allowed us to take them with us. The household in the 1900 census included father Charles, Mother Catherine, Daughters Ellen and Clara, Wm. Reed and his wife Mabel. A very loyal reader David Collins graciously provided the image of the census record as well as some background information to prove I am related to these Goodwins. THANKS DAVID!!!

They are a delightful example of sibling communications and I think could be compared to texting today. I thought you might enjoy the following transcription from one of the letters dated Aug 18 1896. It’s a treasure.

Most delightfully, this letter includes primitive drawings labeled The house where Ed lives and Chas house. Also figures labeled Pork, Margarita Ann, Charlie calling car for Ipswich and Mabel G. I cannot identify these for certain, but Mabel G is probably another sister. Elena married Frederic Riggs and perhaps that is Ed (?)

I also heard from Jeanette Marchant who lived near Elena “Gert” Gertrude Goodwin Riggs (husband Frederic) in later years. It’s lovely to hear from the readers, so thank you very much.